Kick Off Black History Month with 41 African American Actors Starring on Broadway RN

It’s February 1, officially the start of Black History Month, and we are kicking things off with a look at 41 African American actors and actresses who are currently playing a principal role in a Broadway show right now.

Gbenga Akinnaghe (Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird)

Photo by Julieta Cervantes

Known for TV roles on The Wire, The Deuce, The Good Wife, Graceland and Nurse Jackie, Gbenga makes his Broadway debut as the young man on trial in the beloved Harper Lee classic.

Jelani makes his Broadway debut as the romantic lead of Disney’s hit musical adaptation of the animated film Frozen. Jelani originated the role and will play it through February 17 when Noah Ricketts takes over.

Terence Archie (Harrison Howell in Kiss Me, Kate

(Ok, Kiss Me, Kate doesn’t start until February 14, but we are counting it). Last seen in Broadway’s Rocky, Terence plays Kelli O’Hara’s stuffy fiancé in the RTC revival.

Nicholas L. Ashe (Junior Davis in Choir Boy)

The first of many Broadway debuts from the nearly all-black cast of the acclaimed Broadway production of Choir Boy. Nicholas (known for the TV series Queen Sugar) wins audiences hearts as the adorable sidekick, Junior.

We can’t wait to see what the Holiday Inn and In the Heights alum does with this big, flashy dance role.

Joshua Boone (Frank Hackett in Network)

Photo by Jan Versweyveld

More people need to be talking about Joshua’s performance as the cut-throat, Machiavellian TV exec in this hit adaptation of Network. The Holler If Ya Hear Me alum is equal parts alluring and ruthless.

Daniel Breaker (Aaron Burr in Hamilton)

Photo by Joan Marcus

The Tony nominee (known for his performances in Shrek and Passing Strange) stars in the Tony-winning role of Burr. His “Wait for It” is absolutely epic.

The former subway & street performer now makes his Broadway debut as America’s first president in the biggest hit—if that’s not what this show and this country are all about, what is?

Sky Lakota-Lynch (Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen)

It’s a Broadway debut for Sky, who lands laugh after laugh after laugh as the title character’s tech-savvy family friend.

Michael Luwoye (Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton)

Photo by Joan Marcus

Michael broke out onto the scene with his incredible performance in off-Broadway’s Invisible Thread and now he makes his Broadway debut as the title character in Hamilton.

Tshidi Manye (Rafiki in The Lion King)

The actress from Johannesburg has been with The Lion King since the Toronto production opened in 2004 (15 years!). That is a lot of “Circle of Life”.

Julian Elijah Martinez (Harry Hunter in Network)

Photo by Jan Versweyveld

Julian makes a striking and commanding Broadway debut as Bryan Cranston’s TV producer in the stylish new play.

Christiani Pitts (Ann Darrow in King Kong)

What in the world can we say about Christiani that we haven’t already said (twice!)?! The A Bronx Tale alum completely reimagines this iconic character for today’s audience, and it’s better for it.

Jeremy Pope (Pharus Jonathan Young in Choir Boy)

Jeremy Pope gives a Broadway debut for the books as the proud, gay teen in this drama from Moonlight’s Tarell Alvin McCraney. What’s most insane: Jeremy immediately jumps from this show into the Temptations bio-musical Ain’t Too Proud.

Q. Smith (Hannah & Others in Come From Away)

She has been with this show from day one, and she still brings audiences to tears nightly with her performance as a mother who lost a child during 9/11.